Two more changes suggested by the mayor’s Student Rental Housing Task Force were approved Tuesday by the Tuscaloosa City Council. The changes eliminated the R-4S zoning classification from the city of Tuscaloosa’s code regulations, meaning that no longer will four and five unrelated people be allowed to live together in R-4 zones.

By Jason MortonStaff Writer

Two more changes suggested by the mayor’s Student Rental Housing Task Force were approved Tuesday by the Tuscaloosa City Council.The changes eliminated the R-4S zoning classification from the city of Tuscaloosa’s code regulations, meaning that no longer will four and five unrelated people be allowed to live together in R-4 zones.In a related move, the City Council also voted to rezone about 228 acres of existing R-4S property to the more restrictive R-4, which allows up to three unrelated people to share a dwelling.“The major difference between these zoning classifications is occupational restrictions,” said John McConnell, director of the city’s Planning and Development Services.McConnell told the council that eight individual tracts across the city are affected by the rezoning, and two of these tracts — almost 80 acres — are currently undeveloped. Any apartment complex or housing development to come to these sites will not be allowed to construct under the R-4S rules.And one of the sites, The Avenue apartment complex at the end of Kauloosa Avenue, is under construction and will not be affected by the rezoning.The remaining six contain active residential properties and will be allowed to remain non-conforming as long as none of them endure damages consisting of more than 50 percent of the development’s value, McConnell said.Tuscaloosa attorney Bryan Winter and Joel Brown of Austin, Texas-based American Campus Communities urged the council to exclude Campus Way Apartments on Helen Keller Boulevard from the changes.Winter said its proximity to the University of Alabama campus allowed its residents to walk to class while the other R-4S developments were too far for foot or bicycle travel to class.“It’s just something else for you to consider,” Winter said.The council’s vote excludes no R-4S development from the changes.Formed in June, the Student Rental Housing Task Force met twice a month from August to November before submitting a list of nine recommendations to the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council.In that time, the task force’s 19 members heard from a number of experts and members of the apartment housing community, most of whom indicated that Tuscaloosa was nearing — or already had crossed — the threshold of supply exceeding the demand for these kinds of apartment complexes.Among its recommendations was the elimination of the R-4S zoning provision from the Zoning Ordinance of Tuscaloosa. The zoning’s sole purpose, according to the task force’s findings, was to allow the construction of large-scale student housing complexes.City annexes land off Rice Mine RoadA 41.4-acre tract off Rice Mine Road Northeast was annexed into the city of Tuscaloosa on Tuesday.The unanimous vote of the City Council brought in the L-shaped tract that is the proposed site for a residential development.City officials said 86 single-family homes, 12 townhouses and 20 duplex-style apartments are planned for the area near the Greystone residential community.Final plans for the planned unit development have not yet gone to City Hall for approval, but residents of Greystone have voiced concerns.Councilwoman Cynthia Almond, who represents the area as part of District 3, said a meeting is planned this week between the residents and developers to address the worries of those living nearby.Decision on minority contractors delayedA vote to adopt policy changes with the intent of increasing participation of minority contractors in storm recovery efforts has been delayed.Originally planned for a vote on Tuesday, the Tuscaloosa City Council elected to postpone the vote in order to allow council members, contractors and developers to better understand the changes.The vote is expected to take place during the March 11 meeting of the Tuscaloosa City Council.Last week, the City Council’s Public Projects Committee voted to amend the wording of its public works contract and adopt a new policy of striving for 10 to 20 percent participation from minority and women contractors for future projects.However, that was the first time the City Council had heard of the changes and, on Tuesday, said it wanted more time to study them.Reach Jason Morton at jason.morton@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0200.

The Tuscaloosa City Council took the following action at its Tuesday meeting:-- Declared property surplus and authorized its disposal.-- Authorized the issuance of a loan to Glenda J. Rich for home purchase assistance under the City’s HOME Program; total: $5,000.-- Authorized the issuance of a loan to Gloria J. Cockrell for home purchase assistance under the City’s HOME Program; total: $5,000.-- Authorized payment to ServiceMaster in settlement of claim on behalf of 3925 Brookhill Road; total: $185.Authorized payment to State Farm Insurance in subrogation for Leatha Anne Darden in settlement of claims; total: $1,351.37.-- Authorized payment to ServiceMaster in settlement of claim on behalf of 612 James I. Harrison Jr. Blvd.; total: $185.-- Authorized payment to ServiceMaster in settlement of claim on behalf of 2316 T.Y. Rogers Jr. Ave.; total: $135.-- Authorized an adjustment and refund of excess deposit to K&A Builders Inc. for installation of water mains and services for 1006 Veterans Memorial Parkway hydrant relocation; total: $3,882.41.-- Adopted Zoning Amendment No. 1289 to rezone all property in the corporate limits of the city presently zones R-4S to R-4. (Introduced Jan. 30)-- Adopted Zoning Amendment No. 1290 to amend the text of the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to Chapter 24, amending various Sections 24-21, 24-31, 24-32, 24-33, 24-34, 24-35, 24-36, 24-40, 24-43 and 24-122(a) deleting all references to Moderate Density Residential Districts (R-4S). (Introduced Jan. 30)-- Tabled for one week a decision on whether to approve the sign permit application DR/Overlay 05-14 of Robert Hallmark for 2330 Fourth St.-- Approved ABC application of CMW Holdings LLC for restaurant retail liquor and on-premises retail beer licenses at Avenue Pub, 405 23rd Ave., 35401.-- Approved the ABC application of Casual Class Catering Inc. for a special events retail license — more than 30 days at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, 620 Greensboro Ave.-- Rescinded previous resolution awarding competitive bid for the purchase of assorted water supplies and awarding to next responsible low bidder.-- Rejected bids received for the City-Wide Home Repair Program.-- Authorized the mayor to execute a grant application with the Alabama Historical Commission to update the downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District’s National Register nomination.-- Authorized the mayor to execute an agreement between sponsor and USDA/State Department of Education, a statement of authority and signature authorization certificate for the 2014 Summer Food Service Program for children.-- Authorized a loan renewal package for a T-33 airplane at Robert Cardinal Airport Park.-- Authorized the filing of a lien at 1724 16th Ave. E. pursuant to Section 13-69(b), Code of Tuscaloosa, and Section 11-47-140, Code of Alabama, 1975; total: $104.50.-- Authorizing the filing of a lien at 511 26th Ave. E. pursuant to Section 13-69(b), Code of Tuscaloosa, and Section 11-47-140, Code of Alabama, 1975; total: $104.50.-- Authorized the filing of a lien at 626 25th Ave. E. pursuant to Section 13-69(b), Code of Tuscaloosa, and Section 11-47-140, Code of Alabama, 1975; total: $154.61.-- Authorized the filing of a lien at 910 Alberta Drive pursuant to Section 13-69(b), Code of Tuscaloosa, and Section 11-47-140, Code of Alabama, 1975; total: $401.42.-- Authorized the filing of a lien at 2141 Harris Court (formerly 2104 Harris Court) pursuant to Section 13-69(b), Code of Tuscaloosa, and Section 11-47-140, Code of Alabama, 1975; total: $104.50.-- Authorized the filing of a lien at 21 Lakeview pursuant to Section 13-69(b), Code of Tuscaloosa, and Section 11-47-140, Code of Alabama, 1975; total: $460.54.-- Authorized a memorandum of understanding with the University of Alabama Department of Telecommunication and Film.-- Tentatively awarded a contract to Alabama Guardrail Inc. for a public works or public improvement project as follows: guardrail installation, repair and/or maintenance.-- Authorized the mayor to execute an amendment to the Mitchell Water System Supply Agreement.-- Authorized application for the 2014 Coca-Cola Public Space Recycling Bin Grant funded by Keep America Beautiful.--Authorized the third amendment to the funding agreement with Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority.-- Authorized amendment No. 1 to the contract for engineering and related services with Walker Associates Inc. for the Alberta Parkway Project.-- Authorized the filing of a lien at 2121 Harris Court pursuant to Section 13-69(b), Code of Tuscaloosa, and Section 11-47-140, Code of Alabama, 1975; total: $104.50.-- Authorized the filing of a lien at 2131 Harris Court pursuant to Section 13-69(b), Code of Tuscaloosa, and Section 11-47-140, Code of Alabama, 1975; total: $104.50.-- Rejected bid and authorizing re-bid of contract for landfill services.-- Adopted a resolution expressing support for a policy regarding implementation of minority/disadvantaged business enterprise program.-- Adopted Annexation No. 630 to annex 41.4 acres north and east of Greystone Subdivision at the request of John H. Plott and E. Wendell Shirley.-- Appointed and reappointed members to various boards.-- Introduced Zoning Amendment No. 1294 to amend the text of the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to Chapter 24, Article XVIII, Riverfront Development District Regulations, Section 24-239, Conditional Uses.-- Set April 1 as the date for public hearing to consider adoption of Zoning Amendment No. 1294. -- Authorized payment of bills; total: $1,982.79.